be waiting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be waiting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone will be in a state of waiting for something or someone in the future. Example: "I will be waiting for you at the café at 3 PM."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"I'll be waiting".

The New York Times - Magazine

They'll all be waiting".

The New Yorker

Car will be waiting.

The New Yorker

We'll be waiting.

The New York Times

We will be waiting.

The Guardian

Millions will be waiting to find out.

The New York Times - Arts

"We should not be waiting any longer".

The New York Times

We will be waiting for you here".

The New Yorker

Kadima will be waiting in the wings.

The New York Times

For me to be waiting for you.

The New Yorker

"I'll be waiting for you outside".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be waiting" to clearly indicate that someone will remain in a location or state until a specific event or person arrives. For instance, "I'll be waiting at the station" clearly conveys your intention.

Common error

Avoid using "be waiting" when the waiting period is indefinite or uncertain. Instead of saying "I'll be waiting forever", which implies a continuous action, consider alternatives like "I might have to wait a very long time" to better reflect the uncertainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be waiting" functions as a verb phrase indicating a future or continuous state of anticipation or expectation. It combines the auxiliary verb "be" with the present participle "waiting" to describe an ongoing or future action of waiting.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Wiki

8%

Reference

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be waiting" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase that conveys a future or continuous state of anticipation. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is widely used in news and media. The phrase functions to assure, instruct, or set expectations regarding a future event or state. While the register is generally neutral, it's essential to consider context and choose appropriate alternatives like "await", "expect", or "anticipate" based on the desired level of formality and nuance. Remember to use "be waiting for" in most general contexts, avoiding "be waiting on" unless a specific American English context warrants it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be expecting

Emphasizes anticipation of someone or something's arrival or occurrence.

be anticipating

Highlights the feeling of looking forward to something with excitement or concern.

await

Single word. More formal and concise. Implies a period of waiting with expectation.

look forward to

Expresses anticipation and positive expectation of a future event.

be on the lookout

Highlights the act of actively watching for something or someone.

be standing by

Suggests readiness to take action when the awaited event happens.

be in readiness

Formal, indicates a state of preparation for something that is to come.

be prepared

Focuses on the preparation aspect, indicating readiness to handle the awaited event.

be staying put

Indicates remaining in one place until the expected event occurs.

be lingering

Suggests prolonging one's presence until something happens.

FAQs

How can I use "be waiting" in a sentence?

Use "be waiting" to indicate a future state of anticipation or expectation. For example, you could say "I will be waiting for your call" or "They will be waiting for the bus".

What are some alternatives to "be waiting"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "be waiting" include "await", "expect", or "anticipate". These can offer more formal or nuanced ways to express the same idea.

Is it correct to say "be waiting on" instead of "be waiting for"?

While "be waiting on" can be used in some contexts, particularly in American English to mean 'to wait for' someone, "be waiting for" is generally more widely accepted and considered grammatically standard. Stick with "be waiting for" to ensure clarity.

What's the difference between "be waiting" and "have been waiting"?

"Be waiting" implies a future or present continuous action, while "have been waiting" indicates an action that started in the past and continues to the present. For example, "I will be waiting" suggests a future action, whereas "I have been waiting" suggests an action already in progress.